Labor Day is not a day of rest

Cami and I had a goal to ride the Alpine Loop by the end of the summer on our pretty bicycles. Of course Cami hasn't touched her road bike since labor day (due to busy schedules, and the lack of sunlight at 6 am in the morning), but I can't say that I've had much time since then to put some good miles on my bike as well.

Cami and I have had so much fun riding our bikes this summer. Our first big bike trip was down to St. George earlier this spring, and it seems like we've been everywhere a few times in north Utah County, even Eagle Mountain: A shout-out to John and Cosette and kids.

There was some awesome views along our path (see map of our Alpine Loop Trip) but we didn't have time to take them because we didn't want to lose momentum.

Actually, those that know me well wouldn't allow me to post something to my blog without a picture. So here are a few.

This is where we pulled the bikes out of the truck and took a picture at the summit.

 I know that's what some of you are thinking. But I have to give props to Cami who was probably not as prepared as we should have been to do this ride. Cami is tougher than she thinks, though. Nice work, Cami.

Go AF Lacrosse

The backside of Mt.Timpanogos.

We hurried and jumped off our bikes and hiked to the saddle of Mt. Timpanogos. But I forgot to take pictures of us at the top. Whoops.

The day couldn't have been better. We left at 7 am, and returned home about 4 hours later. It was thankfully a bit overcast, because the heat probably would have made it much more difficult with us being inexperienced bikers. But we did it, and lived to tell the story!

My First and Last

I recommend those thinking of doing a yard-sale to re-think immediately!

Let me show you why-

I want to thank all that provided their money donations, their yard-sale donations, and their time. We cannot thank you enough. Good things will happen from this. Stay tuned.

Steel Day Parade

Have I ever shared with any of you that I "Love" parades. I love them so much I decided to be in the July Steel Day Parade.

I have to admit that if you were to go to a parade it's better to be in the parade than to watch the parade! We were able to throw Otter-pops at little kids. Too bad we didn't have enough to give ever kid an otter-pop. But then again, what's the fun in a parade if everyone get's one of everything.

You're a Tall Family

While growing up, people would always ask my father how the Hutton kids got so tall? His answer was "because they ate their vegetables?"

The 4th of July weekend was a blast! My sisters Becca, and Sarah; Sarah's husband Craig and son Chris; Cami, and I trekked to Northern California for 4th of July Weekend.

We visited places like Yosemite National Park where we saw Lord Stanley's Cup. We had a spanish language lesson from Sarah in the Mexican Restaurant just outside Yosemite. She tried to pronounce the name of the restaurant multiple times with the assistance of the server. This experience was like the movie, Blue Streak, when Martin Lawrence said in spanish, "I have a cat in my pants". Sarah was just being Sarah.

We spent the 4th of July in Livingston CA, with Grandma Yagi, and the CA Hutton's: Duane, Deanna, Trevor, Spencer, Aimee; and, others. We received a tour of the Yagi Farm. We learned about sweet pototoes, almonds, and peaches.

We spent time in the Sequoia trees of Big Tree. I think we were about the same height as some of these Sequoias. My brother-in-law is 6'6", I'm 6'4", Cami is 5'8", my sister's are 6'3" and 5'6", and my little nephew shown below is a giant.


Visting Nana was fun too. We were able to share our stories of our recent lives; share pictures of dad being silly, and laugh, eat, and play.

The first night after arriving in Stockton, CA we ate at Olive Garden. We had great laughs through dinner. But as we were filing out of the restaurant a server said to us, "You're a tall family". I quickly responded, "Thank You!" like I'd heard it before.

Our Adoption Pass-a-long Card

Stinking Water Bill!

I hate coming home after work and seeing a pink slip attached to the front door! My pink slip was from the city water department but gave me no additional information except a name. I don't remember this person's name, so I will call him Billy. I immediately called the water department hoping they were not closed and asked for Billy. Billy wasn't there; however, I knew I needed an answer then or I would just forget about my little pink slip.

You've probably had these types of conversations where you're just frustrated and talking to the receptionist and getting angry at her because... you just want to be frustrated! There is no legitimate reason for you to get angry but you're angry at her even though you know you're just frustrated with this situation.

The receptionist mentioned through my short conversation that sometimes Billy hangs pink slips on doors because there is a water leak and the water meter reading is abnormally high. I hung up the phone regretfully not apologizing for my poor attitude and immediately started looking and thinking of where I had a water leak.

This hasn't been the first time Cami and I have had water issues in our short tenure of homeowners in this house. I peaked in the crawl space looking for water issues, and then I realized I heard water running in the water heater closet. I called my cousin who helped me install my water heater. He came over that night to find the leak and advise what I should do.

I knew that his wife was pregnant, but I had no idea that his wife was due the following day and scheduled for labor. My cousin and I found the leak and talked about when we would try to get back together some time later after the little baby was born and his wife would be doing just fine. Little did we know that they'd run into complications and the little baby was hospitalized for months.

Conversations between my cousin and I about my water leak naturally stopped as he was busy caring for his family. 4 months passed by with Cami and I buying lots of bottled water, turning the main water on and off in our crawl space, in an effort to not have a crazy water bill like the first month after we realized the water leak.

Finally in June, I found a Saturday where my dad and I could get together and see if we could make a mess. We installed this white tank (picture above) on the main water line going into the water heater. This tank helps regulate the high water pressure and I recommend installing it before you have to go through 4 months of fun. Cami and I have a greater appreciation now for being able to turn on the faucet; having running water without having to run down the stairs, climb into the crawl space, and manually turn the water on and off (and try to remember to turn it off before leaving for work).

Stupid Water Bill!

(I'm pointing to the check valve that was leaking for 4 months)

Freedom Cows

I looked at these cows and they looked back at me. I couldn't tell if they were looking at me because I was wearing my bike gear or if they were looking at me because I was simply looking at them and they are a curious animal by nature...

It had been over three weeks since I played in the Timpanogos HS Alumni game and sprained my MCL. One of my teammates decided to push one of the opposing players into my knee. I could tell it was sprained immediately from my vast experience in spraining and breaking other parts of my body. This was first time I sprained my MCL.

Cami and I planned to go to Arches National Park early in June, but we had to postpone this trip because my knee was not ready. We've tentatively re-scheduled for some time this fall after it's cooled down a bit. Moab is such a hot place we want to make sure we enjoy hiking there.

I've tried swimming again but my strength is not strong enough in the knee to do real swimming (just pretend swimming). I hobbled around in Cash Valley on one good knee during Cami's Red Riding Hood bike ride.

Finally my knee felt good enough to ride my bike in mid-June. My plan was to ride to squaw peak from my house. A fine feat for a beginner biker especially after almost a month of not riding. I made my way through Pleasant Grove, Lindon, Orem and Provo Canyon. I missed my road to turn off from the Provo River Park Trail. So I kept going on the trail. As I approached the South Fork Park I was passed by 5 real road bikers all dressed in the same gear. I couldn't help but admire how fast and smooth they were on their bikes. Someday I thought, someday.... I saw them head up South Fork Canyon so I decided to follow.

My knee was starting to ache and it was dictating how far I traveled that fine Saturday morning. But because I made it this far I knew my knee could handle the wear and tear, even though it's still sore. I was free again from the pains of my knee, at least to ride my bike again and visit cows in South Fork. I take a deep breath of clean mountain air and think, "Freedom".